Foundation Documents

These documents are the foundation for instruction in Nunavut.

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Education Framework for Nunavut Curriculum

Elders are articulating how and why Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) – beliefs, laws, principles, values, skills, knowledge, and attitudes – are so well suited to Inuit today. In doing so, the Elders are not advocating a return to the past, but a grounding of education in the strengths of the Inuit so that their children will survive and successfully negotiate the world in which they find themselves today. By entrenching IQ beliefs and principles within the system and curricula, the aim is to provide a learning environment where silaturniq (becoming wise) is fostered, and within which the strength of inummarik (a capable person) can develop.

This foundation document outlines the philosophy of Inuit beliefs upon which the Nunavut education system is built. It applies those beliefs to the elements of teaching, learning, and curricular foundations for instruction in Nunavut. You should think of this document as the foundation for your classroom program.

Inuglugijaittuq Foundation for Inclusive Education in Nunavut Schools

It is critical for educators to read this document to understand the philosophy and principles that form the foundation for inclusion and student support in Nunavut schools. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit perspectives – traditional Inuit laws, principles, values, and worldview form the basis for the Nunavut inclusion philosophy. Developing and implementing an Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit approach to inclusion, in combination with current, best western knowledge and practice regarding inclusion, is changing learning and teaching in Nunavut schools.

The Department of Education expects educators to develop an understanding of:

• Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
• How Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit affects beliefs and approaches to inclusion in Nunavut.
• How Nunavut beliefs and approaches to inclusion influence learning and teaching.

It is the responsibility of every educator in Nunavut to become familiar with the Inuglugijaittuq philosophy and to incorporate the purposes and approaches to inclusion and student support outlined in this document in their classrooms.

Ilitaunnikuliriniq Foundation for Dynamic Assessment as Learning in Nunavut Schools

Ilitaunnikuliriniq is a major foundation document that assists educators in implementing the Nunavut vision of schools transformed around the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Ilitaunnikuliriniq refers to the overall process of student assessment, evaluation, and reporting in Nunavut schools. It is an approach to assessment that promotes and enhances learning for everyone – students, parents, educators, and communities. Setting learning goals for each student and determining whether they have been met is one of the major responsibilities of every classroom teacher. The Ilitaunnikuliriniq approach promotes the combination of a variety of classroom assessment strategies to improve programming and instruction, and identify appropriate placement for students within the learning continuum. It emphasizes that student achievement should be measured:

• Over time;
• For an intended purpose;
• In ways that are fair and appropriate; and,
• In ways that take into account the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit perspectives of the people of Nunavut.